Molecular aspects of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) vascular wilt by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and antagonism by Trichoderma spp.
<p>Tomato plants (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>) are susceptible to the infection by diverse pathogens that cause devastating diseases such as vascular wilt, which causes great losses at the production level. The fungus <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>lycopersici</em> (<em>Fol</em>) is one of the etiologic agents of this disease and its control lies in the use of synthetic chemicals which generate a negative impact in both health and the environment; thus, it is necessary to implement biological control as a healthier and more efficient alternative. The fungus <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. is a favorable option to be employed as a biocontroller against this pathogen thanks to its antagonist mechanisms, determined by metabolic and genetic characteristics. On the one hand, for <em>Fol</em> it is indispensable the activation of signaling routes such as MAPK Fmk1, MAPK Mpk1 y HOG, while <em>Trichoderma</em> spp. uses effectors involved in the interaction with the plant such as proteins, enzymes and secondary metabolites that also strengthen its immune response against infection, determined by both Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMP) and effectors. Therefore, this article makes a review about the mentioned characteristics and suggests a greater application of tools and molecular markers for the management of this disease.</p>